Latest news with #WaitakiDistrictCouncil
Otago Daily Times
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Debris on river a flood threat, council hears
Debris piled high enough to cover cattle in the Waihemo River is an imminent flood threat to the area, the Otago Regional Council has been told. Waihemo farmer Jim Thomson's property is spilt by the Waihemo/Shag River. Mr Thomson is the Waihemo ward representative on the Waitaki District Council and an approved RMA hearings commissioner. He said he was speaking as a concerned ORC ratepayer. At the ORC meeting in Oamaru yesterday, he told the council he has seen the river deteriorate "badly" over the past five years. "There's been no maintenance, no spraying for weeds and in actual fact, now seeing the results of previous spraying which was excessive, large willow trees are now dead and falling over and will, I suggest, end up in the river during the next large flood. "The lack of that maintenance, as I say, is going to affect future flood events. I know historically the floods in the Waihemo peaked at 440 cubics and during my 12 years there it was at 298 and that was scary enough." Mr Thomson suggested the issue could be traced back to the "travesty" of the Otago Regional Plan Change 7, which implemented the same irrigation rules for all Otago, with no recognition of the different weather between central and eastern Otago. "However, 75 years of rainfall records in my district show an 800mm variation, in that rainfall. As low as during the 1998 drought of 286mm but as high as 1100mm in the last two years. "I haven't turned the irrigation pump on because Mother Nature has done it for us but in actual fact, that will show as a non-use and will result in the reduction of water allocated to me." He suggested a solution to prevent trees being an issue in floods was to, at the Maheno area, remove the debris and the alluvial deposits between the rail and road bridges in the Kakanui and allow the water to flow where it wants to. Failing to do so would mean ratepayers would face more flood events in the future, he said. "I would challenge some members around this table as to whether they have served the whole community or been caught up in spheres of specific local interest. "Local and regional government would have more effect if we engaged with the practical people in our communities. Let's be proactive rather than reactive. "I would like to urge the council to continue to engage with practical people dealing daily with issues in our community for far better outcomes in the long term. Let's engage, educate and empower our communities to achieve outcomes, rather to try and impose and enforce upon them." Moeraki representative Cr Kevin Malcolm asked what would prevent the issue from being an imminent threat. "Well, the first thing is the clogging of the river with lupins, gorse brush," Mr Thomson said. "When I arrived, I sprayed up from the river banks. I also farm in a way that the areas that are flood plain will have temporary feeds in and I normally set back 10 to 15 metres to make sure that stock don't have access to the river. "But over time, with the neglect last year, I actually sent Cr Malcolm a photo of where I shifted the fence up and put two year old cattle in to try and break down that debris and you couldn't actually see the cattle in amongst it."
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Reserve's grazing licence to be reduced
After a Waitaki District Council meeting recently noted passionate community views on both sides, it decided to agree with the Waihemo Community Board's suggestion on how to deal with the Waihemo Recreation Reserve. After some debate the council resolved that the progressive rehabilitation of the Puketapu/Waihemo Recreation Reserve, as proposed by the Waihemo Community Board, proceeds, and that the current grazing licence to occupy be reduced by about 20ha as agreed with the licensee to assist with the progressive rehabilitation of the reserve. The council will now delegate to the chief executive the authority to negotiate and undertake necessary actions for the renegotiation of the licence to occupy, and renewal terms "that allow sufficient notice for the lessee, but align with the eventual re-establishment of the entire reserve". The entire Waihemo Recreation Reserve has been grazed for more than 100 years, with a licence arrangement in place that is held month by month. The reserve contains unique vegetation and is proposed to be zoned a Significant Natural Area in the draft district plan. Waitaki District Council has a project in partnership with the Puketapu Community Trust to create a formal track up Puketapu Maunga via the reserve. The trust also plans to carry out pest control and restoration work on the reserve. Grazing of deer is considered inconsistent with the requirements of the Reserves Act and should eventually be retired, a district council document says. "However, a rapid retirement of the land from grazing could result in an increase in invasive pest species." This month-by-month arrangement allowed for community consultation to occur around further grazing of the recreation reserve, a WDC statement said. "The Reserves Act 1977 requires that council consults with the community around its intent in issuing a licence or lease. WDC advertised its intent in issuing a grazing licence for part of the Waihemo Recreation Reserve in February, receiving 112 submissions with 55 submissions supporting the issuing of a grazing licence and 55 against. "The council's hearing committee assessed the submission and recommended a reduced licence area would work in with the proposed development of the walking track up to Puketapu. "The access to the summit is a key project for the Waihemo community, so this approach will allow for that work to continue along with pest control and planting."
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Historic laundry given fresh coat
Katy and Greg Waite are pleased with renovation work on their Tees St premises. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A historic Oamaru site has been given a fresh new look, thanks to a Heritage New Zealand grant awarded to longtime traders and residents Greg and Katy Waite. The New Zealand Heritage Fund, administered by the Waitaki District Council, allocates $100,000 annually for historic site conservation as part of the council's Long-Term Plan. In the funding round closing April 28, three grants were awarded to heritage building-owners Michael and Glenys Roche, Pascal Brosnahan and Greg and Katy Waite. Of the $12,753 allocated, the Waites received $5253 for site repainting and restoration. The Waites have spent over 50 years in the antiques and art industry and own 8 to 12 Tees St, their home, gallery and business all located in Oamaru's historic precinct. The site is also home to their two boutique accommodation businesses, The Whitestone and The Whitfield, both of which operate at full occupancy from October through May. The buildings, once home to New Zealand's first Chinese laundry, have undergone careful restoration by the Waites. The final step in the couple's restoration was the paintwork, which began in early May. Mr Waite said scaffolding was erected on May 1, with paintwork carried out over the following three weeks. He said he applied for the funding but proceeded with the restoration at his own expense, uncertain if and when the grant would be approved. As part of the application process, Mr Waite obtained multiple quotes from various contractors and included them with his submission. This meant Mr Waite could begin painting the rear of the building with his preferred contractor immediately and complete the front work while awaiting the grant decision. The grant was later approved and covered part of the project, an outcome Mr Waite described as "fabulous". "It covered all the scaffolding," Mr Waite said. "It's fantastic we're getting the support." Mr Waite said he opted for a neutral light cream paint to complement the building's historic surroundings. The next round of Heritage New Zealand funding opened for applications on July 7 and will close September 8. — APL Student Reporter
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Rabbit control operation to start
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Carrots laced with poisoned bait will be laid before a shooting operation starts to cull wild rabbit numbers on Cape Wanbrow and at two sites in Hampden. Last year, the Otago Regional Council issued a notice to reduce rabbit numbers on Cape Wanbrow. "While this was successful, this year council is being pro-active in its pest control to reduce the population once again," a Waitaki District Council statement said. It will also be reducing rabbit numbers at the Hampden Cemetery and a forestry block to the south of Hampden, near Worcester St. "It is also engaging with leaseholders of council land to ensure pest control takes place elsewhere in Hampden," the statement said. "Rabbit control has two main stages, first Pindone-laced carrot bait will be placed in the areas for control. These will be replaced over a period of around a month. "Then night-shooting will take place — and residents and the community will be informed of dates for night-shooting well in advance," the statement said. People and animals should not touch the baits and dogs should be kept on a leash a tall times in the operation areas. Should poisoning be suspected, phone the National Poison Information Centre on 0800 764-766. The operation will run from July 27 and through August. — APL
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to Editor: water, Al Jazeera, Ardern
Today's letters to the editor include discussions concerning the Waitaki District Council, Al Jazeera, and opinions on Dame Jacinda Ardern. Recent opposition to the Waitaki District Council's preferred Water Well Done proposal is probably a reflection of the general lack of trust in the council rather than misinformation. Take the Proposed District Plan. This now legally enforceable plan allows that certain people are allowed to access private properties to cut, dig and build without the landowner's permission within the new wahi tupuna overlays. Conversely the same landowners can be required to consult with and pay whatever fee iwi deem appropriate in addition to council's own consenting requirements. The consulting process was haphazard and ultimately ignored the concerns of affected landowners. To their credit, councillors John McCone, Guy Percival and Brent Cowles opposed the plan which to the detriment of the Waitaki District community was approved in December. One councillor even stated that people affected by the PDP can now "share the same feelings of loss and disempowerment and identity ... caused by the Kemp Purchase of 1848". Our community deserves much better representation than being held liable for what happened over 175 years ago. Mark Hay Oamaru In-house backed I am tired of reading Ben Bell's accusations that Waitaki's decision to nix a joint water company with Gore, Clutha and Central Otago is the "misinformed" decision of only 161 submitters in our public consultation. Out of 300 submitters in the consultation, 85% favoured another option instead of the tie-up with those three districts. Only 15% supported Southern Water Done Well. Sentiment throughout the district was strongly in favour of keeping water in-house. Faced with an election in three months, the Waitaki councillors suddenly realised that public sentiment was so strong that it had to be respected. That's why the vote was 9-2 for continued in-house operation. The Gore councillors are wrong to claim that government required them to approve Southern Water Done Well. There are 19 councils nationwide which have chosen in-house. Minister Simon Watts may be trying to bully councils, but this hasn't scared the stronger councils in the past, nor will it in the future. Mike Sweeney Oamaru No, it's dire Dire wolves, mammoths, moa ... .why? Any effort to bring these back from the dead, at this stage is ridiculous, what you get is nothing like the original. What you get is a Claytons version. As has been shown, the dire wolves are only that in name. They are nothing like the originals, simply a white wolf with a few shredded DNA strands that amount to nothing. If there was going to be money sunk into these sorts of folly projects I would much prefer it be spent on saving our current flora and fauna Graham Bulman Dunedin Higher huts Re the tragic death of Wednesday Davis on Mt Ruapehu (ODT 14.7.25). This is very sad indeed and the circumstances appear to be particularly distressing for the family, and they have my full sympathy. I note however that the Whangaehu has been repeatedly reported as the "highest alpine hut in New Zealand". This is not the case by a significant margin. Whangaehu hut is at an altitude of 2080m while Empress Hut (at the top of the Hooker Glacier at Aoraki/Mt Cook) is at an altitude of 2472m, Plateau Hut (also on Aoraki/Mt Cook) is at 2200m, Centennial Hut (on the Franz Josef Glacier) is at 2400m. Stating that Whangaehu is the highest hut in New Zealand puts an erroneous perspective on the story. Derek Chinn Queenstown Overwhelming news and the bare essentials I watch the Al Jazeera news channel. Their news coverage can be difficult to watch. Images can be overwhelming and leave you questioning why some events on this planet are allowed to continue. The only thing on television at the moment that can put a smile on your face is an advertisement. It shows a naked skier, beautiful snow views and the background music is Age of Innocence by Enigma. It is very peaceful and you have to smile. Lorraine Adams Oamaru Enduring legacy I was horrified to read Neville McLay's letter (ODT 14.7.25). Can it really be true that the stadium will only last another 35 years, especially when you think that most old villas were built between 1890 and 1910. Many will have been renovated in the past 35 years when the houses were already nearly 100 years old. So the stadium is only to last about a quarter as long as the average old villa? George Livingstone Roslyn Boo Sir Ian It is so very sad to see all the knives pointed in direction of Dame Jacinda Ardern, the latest poison from Sir Ian Taylor. The combined threats and personal attacks made on her mainly through the cowardly medium of social media disgusted me. Dame Jacinda succeeded in saving many lives when the country faced a relentless and deadly Covid virus. She was applauded and recognised upon the world stage. The mosque massacre and Christchurch earthquakes, she resolutely and bravely faced up to with utmost dignity sincerity and compassion. Clive McNeill North East Valley Bravo Sir Ian "Better late than never" as the saying goes. Recent comments ridiculing and criticising Sir Ian Taylor about his about-face opinion of Jacinda Ardern just goes to show that changing one's mind and an admission of being wrong, is frowned upon and not appreciated by many. I, however applaud his honesty and bravery in publicly admitting his previous error in judgement. Joyce Yee-Murdoch Cromwell Boo Sir Ian I was disappointed by Sir Ian Taylor's article on Jacinda. It read like a lovesick virgin teenager's lament on finding the object of their adoration had feet of plasticene and a far-from-saintly past. Most politicians who get the top job, with some exceptions, and Jacinda was no exception, do the best they can with the hand they are dealt. And with impeccable timing she quit when she realised she was no longer the solution but part of the problem. We don't need to look far in the contemporary world to find exceptions who did neither. So we should be grateful. I am absolutely delighted that Jacinda has found things to do and a means of earning a crust, after leaving us Kiwi ingrates for what she must see as greener and safer pastures. I suggest Sir Ian plants his sour grapes in our great Central soil where they can turn to fine wine, and saves his rocks for his own rockery rather than use them as ammunition. Morley Williams Cromwell
